Vanessa is a Mastered trained Clinical Social Worker. Founder and Clinical Director of Lupine Clinical Counselling.

Clients may have various stressors, mood concerns, grief/loss, life transitions and inter-personal relationship struggles that they are seeking support for.

Vanessa also specializes in counselling individuals and their families during their journey with fertility, perinatal mental health and birth trauma.

Vanessa has worked with individuals and families in various mental health and family counselling programs for over 18 years. Her experience and passion for her specialization in her practice is drawn from 10 years working in a perinatal mental health programs as well as her own family’s journey through fertility, pregnancy and postpartum.

One’s fertility and perinatal experience can be marked with stress, anger, grief/loss, fears, anxiety, depression and difficulty in interpersonal relationships. Vanessa draws on trust and confidentiality in her practice while she supports you through self-awareness, reflection, reframing and discovering new tools to assist with your relationships, communication (often with support system and professionals), self-care, and growth during your journey.

At times it will be suggested to engage a partner or other support person in your counselling as we are most often not alone during the times of our fertility or perinatal experiences. The health of our relationships and support networks are vital to our health and coping during these often-difficult times. Vanessa can also assist with connecting you with complementary health-care practitioners, support groups, reading material and financial aid as appropriate.

It is her hope that with this support you will feel more grounded, have increased skills to manage stressors and have a plan how to move into your next life phase thriving.

Vanessa’s theoretical orientation is towards a client-centred, psycho-educational, strength-based approach and her therapeutic approaches are trauma and attachment informed and draw from training in: Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mind-Based Techniques, The Gottman Method and Family Systems Theory in her work supporting clients.

Vanessa is a Registered Social Worker with the BC College of Social Work therefore many employee benefit plans will reimburse for her services or they may be claimed on your annual income tax returns as a medical expense.

Sessions offered in-person or on-line (within the West Kootenays). Please email to inquire about booking an Initial Session.

Vanessa is a Mastered trained Clinical Social Worker. Founder and Clinical Director of Lupine Cli... Read More

Andrea is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) (CCC) and holds a Master’s in Clinical Counselling from Adler University. Andrea has many years of community involvement including the facilitation of pre/post-natal classes, workshops and retreats.

Her therapeutic approach is client-centered, compassionate, and trauma-informed. Andrea integrates CBT, DBT, Somatic work, family systems and other evidence-based practices to help support clients through life transitions, anxiety, depression, parenting, and healing from early-life trauma.

One of Andrea’s areas of specialization is working with neurodiverse families.

Andrea brings deep compassion and authenticity to her work, informed by her own healing journey and years of personal growth. Her experiences growing up with a parent with mental illness, travelling in her youth, and her own parenting journey continue to shape her therapeutic presence.

As a mother of three, Andrea understands the challenges and growth that emerge through parenthood and postpartum experiences. She offers a compassionate space for clients to process, shift unhealthy shift patterns and reconnect with themselves.

Andrea is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) (CCC) and holds a Master’s in Clinical Counselli... Read More

Joanna is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) who is Masters trained and is accepting new clients both in person and on-line through Lupine Clinical Counselling

She is currently completing a certificate in Perinatal Mental Health through CPMHT and is passionate in supporting individuals and their families during the Perinatal period of their life including reproductive health, prenatal/postpartum depression and anxiety, birth trauma, relationship challenges, parent-child relationships, and life transitions.

Joanna has trained in a variety of evidence-based therapy approaches including Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and numerous trainings practicing therapy from a trauma informed lens.

Joanna’s approach to counselling is rooted in empathy, compassion, acceptance, insight and empowerment. Through a holistic and client-centered approach Joanna will work with you to develop therapy focus and goals, to help build inner strength, create new self awareness, cultivate positive self-regard, and explore various thoughts and behaviours that may be limiting to one’s overall health and wellbeing. Joanna believes in the value of exploring all pieces of one’s story and collaboratively finding effective coping strategies and inner resilience to move through any of life’s challenges.

Joanna graduated in 2023 with a Master of Counselling having completed a 400 hour counselling internship with Elspiri Counselling and co-facilitated a Post-Partum Group with Vanessa Dowell. In addition to her therapy training Joanna has over 15 years working in the social services sector with adults, youth, children and families; most recently 10 years working at Nelson Community Services. Joanna was also previously a DONA certified doula and practiced as a Doula in the Kootenays.

Joanna raises her two young children alongside her partner on their homestead outside of Nelson. Joanna enjoys spending time with friends and family, gardening, swimming, reading and getting outdoors as much as possible.

Joanna is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) who is Masters trained and is accepting new clie... Read More

Sara Westnedge is a Master’s Counselling student (Providence University) currently completing her clinical practicum at Lupine Clinical Counselling with supervision from Vanessa Dowell MSW, RSW.

She provides a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space for individuals seeking healing, growth, and a deeper exploration of their unique life stories.

Areas of Practice

● Core Support: Specializes in navigating anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. ● Life Transitions: Guides individuals through major personal and professional shifts. ● Family Systems: Focuses heavily on supporting children, parents, and families. ● Adoption Care: Offers specialized, empathetic support for families impacted by adoption. ● Cultural Identity: Helps clients navigate complex, multicultural identities, drawing from her personal experience living and working in East Africa.

Therapeutic Approach

Sara blends evidence-based therapeutic modalities with deep empathy to walk alongside clients during their healing journeys. She believes in collaborative exploration, helping clients safely unpack their experiences, emotions, and histories to foster lasting resilience.

Beyond the Clinic

Sara lives with her husband and children in Nelson. When she is not studying or supporting clients, Sara is deeply engaged in her community through local volunteer work. She can also be found cheering loudly for her children at their various activities or relaxing with a cozy mystery novel.

Sara Westnedge is a Master’s Counselling student (Providence University) currently completing her... Read More